HARTFORD -- Public and private colleges and universities would be required to institute new awareness programs and encourage bystander intervention in attempt to cut down on stalking and sexual assault under a bill unanimously approved in the House.

The bill, which passed 144-0 after a 50-minute discussion Thursday afternoon, next moves to the Senate.

If approved there and signed into law, the legislation would: require colleges and universities to allow victims to remain anonymous; require specialized training for campus security personnel and local police; require the institutions to establish campus resource teams; and develop partnerships with local rape crisis centers.

The legislation was prompted by recent reports of sexual assaults on state campuses, including a class-action lawsuit that has emerged by University of Connecticut students who claim they were mistreated while trying to report campus sex crimes.

"We're in the process of changing the culture on our campuses in the state of Connecticut, and we're changing that culture by making people more responsive, more attuned, more aware of what's going on," he said. "And it's easy to throw out the numbers: When you think about the fact that we're sending our daughters and our sons on to our state campuses and community colleges -- 20 percent of them will be sexually assaulted."

Smith said that the section of the bill that would encourage bystanders to report suspicious activity is crucial. The higher education institutions would be required to make annual reports to the General Assembly.

"I believe this is a very, very good preventative measure," said Rep. Christina Ayala, D-Bridgeport. "Stalking, I believe, is probably the beginning of a violent relationship. This amendment will make students feel more secure on their campus. I believe that Connecticut is showing a great example by strengthening this and making everyone who goes to college feel safer."

"It's important for our students to be safe on our college campuses, but it's also very important for them to feel that they are safe," said Rep. Gail Lavielle, R-Wilton.